Name: Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground Italian sausage; 1 lb. penne pasta; 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups); 2 tablespoons butter; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste

If you're craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s rich, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners with friends.

Creamy Sausage Pasta - A large silver pan filled with creamy pasta made of light yellow penne noodles mixed evenly with small pieces of cooked ground meat and green spinach leaves, all coated in a smooth cream sauce. The dish is sprinkled with small green herb bits and cracks of black pepper. A wooden spoon rests on the pasta, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface next to a striped cloth and a small white bowl with colored peppercorns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has quickly become a family favorite in my house because it's the perfect balance of creamy indulgence with a savory sausage punch. Plus, it comes together faster than you might expect—ideal when you want something delicious without fuss.

Comfort in a bowl: Creamy sauce and hearty sausage combine to satisfy any pasta craving.
Quick and easy: In about 20 minutes, you can have dinner ready—great for busy nights.
Flexible ingredient swaps: You can tweak veggies, cheeses, or seasonings to fit your mood or pantry.
Great for leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day meals.

Creamy Sausage Pasta - A white plate holds a serving of penne pasta mixed with small pieces of browned sausage and fresh green spinach leaves, all coated in a creamy white sauce with specks of black pepper and chopped herbs sprinkled on top. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. In the background, there is another white plate with plain penne pasta slightly out of focus, and a small white bowl filled with mixed peppercorns. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth napkin on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe plays a role in building layered flavors and textures, from the juicy Italian sausage to the silky heavy cream. Choosing the right quality ingredients really brings the dish alive.

Creamy Sausage Pasta - Flat lay of fresh Italian ground sausage with a rich marbled texture, uncooked penne pasta in a pale golden hue, a small mound of bright green baby spinach leaves with delicate veins, a bunch of plump garlic cloves with papery white skins, half a yellow onion finely minced showing its pale yellow layers, a generous pile of grated Parmesan cheese in fine snowy white flakes, and a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs in mixed green and brown tones, all carefully spread out and naturally overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ground Italian sausage: Adds bold, spiced flavor and protein; I like to use sweet or spicy depending on my mood.
Penne pasta: Its ridges hold onto the creamy sauce perfectly—don't skimp on cooking to al dente.
Butter: Gives a luscious base for sautéing the aromatics and melting into the sauce.
Yellow onion: Adds gentle sweetness and depth when sautéed until soft.
Garlic: Aromatic boost that infuses the sauce with warmth.
Heavy cream: The heart of the sauce that delivers richness and smooth texture.
Chicken broth or dry white wine: Provides acidity and complexity; I usually grab whatever I have on hand.
Italian seasoning: A blend that rounds out the flavor with herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
Parmesan cheese: Adds saltiness and umami, also helps thicken the sauce.
Fresh baby spinach: Brightens the dish with a pop of color and nutrition, wilting nicely into the sauce.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is a blank canvas for whatever you have in your kitchen. Feel free to add your favorite veggies or swap the sausage for another protein — it’s all about making this dish your own.

Variation: I often toss in sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for extra flavor—once I added peas and it was a fresh, sweet surprise!
Dietary swaps: For a lighter twist, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or use turkey sausage instead of pork.
Spice level: Adding red pepper flakes gives this dish a nice kick; a dash goes a long way.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the pasta perfectly

Start by boiling your penne in salted water until al dente — you want a slight bite, so it holds up well in the sauce. Drain and set aside, but save a little pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce later; it’s a neat trick I picked up!

Step 2: Brown the sausage

Using medium heat, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet. Break it up into bite-sized bits; this helps it cook evenly and soak up flavors. Once browned (about 5 minutes), remove it with a slotted spoon, then drain excess grease so the sauce isn’t too oily.

Step 3: Sauté the aromatics

In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced onion until translucent and soft—this step is key for a sweet, mellow base. Add garlic and cook briefly, about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not burnt. Then, return the sausage to the pan.

Step 4: Build the sauce

Deglaze the pan with chicken broth or white wine, scraping up those tasty browned bits to deepen flavor. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then gently bring it to a simmer.

Step 5: Finish with cheese and spinach

Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and smooth—the cheese is what thickens the sauce and adds that signature creaminess. Toss in the baby spinach and stir until it wilts, adding freshness and color to the dish.

Step 6: Combine pasta and sauce

Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet and toss until every piece is luxuriously coated in the creamy sauce. Warm for another minute or so, then you're ready to plate and dig in!

Top Tip

I’ve found a few little tricks make this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe really shine—things I wished I knew the first time I made it!

Don’t overcook your pasta: Al dente is key because the pasta will keep absorbing sauce, and you don't want mushy noodles.
Drain grease well: Too much fat can make the sauce greasy, so I always scoop out excess grease after browning the sausage.
Deglaze for flavor: Using white wine or broth to deglaze picks up those delicious browned bits from the skillet — don’t skip this step!
Fresh cheese finish: Stir Parmesan in slowly off the heat to keep it from clumping, giving you a smooth, creamy texture.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Creamy Sausage Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra fresh Parmesan on top, along with cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil for a pop of freshness. A drizzle of olive oil or a few chili flakes amps up the flavor beautifully.

Side Dishes

This pasta pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil, or my favorite—garlic bread to sop up every last bit of that creamy sauce. Roasted vegetables also make a colorful, healthy sidekick.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this dish in individual ramekins topped with extra Parmesan and broiled just until golden and bubbly—basically a pasta gratin. It makes the dinner feel a little fancy but is still super approachable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers go straight into an airtight container and fridge—they’ll keep well for 3-4 days. I recommend stirring in a splash of milk or cream when reheating to refresh the sauce’s creaminess.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to prep ahead. Freeze in portion-sized containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. The sauce texture might be slightly different but a quick stir and gentle reheat bring it back nicely.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat with a bit of milk or broth, stirring frequently so the sauce stays creamy and the pasta doesn’t dry out or clump.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta in this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne is great for holding the creamy sauce, rigatoni, farfalle, or even fusilli work beautifully as well. Just adjust cooking times to package instructions.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can swap the sausage for plant-based sausage or sautéed mushrooms and extra veggies like bell peppers and zucchini to keep it hearty and flavorful. Consider using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Is it necessary to use heavy cream?

Heavy cream gives the sauce its rich, silky texture, but you can substitute half-and-half or coconut milk for a lighter version. Just note the sauce may be less thick and creamy.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can cook the sausage and sauce ahead and keep pasta separate. Combine and warm everything just before serving. Leftovers also reheat really well, making this great for meal prep.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe feels like a trusted friend—always comforting, always satisfying. Whether you’re making it on a weeknight or for guests, it never disappoints. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and that it gives you one more reason to smile at dinnertime.